Boost for Great Southern heritage

14/10/00
The Great Southern region will receive $13,900 to fund heritage conservation projects in the fourth round of the State Heritage Grants Program.
Heritage Minister Graham Kierath announced the funds today as part of almost $1 million in heritage grants awarded across the State.
Whaleworld Museum in Albany received the largest grant of $8,000 in the Great Southern Region to complete works including restoration and conservation of its chimneys.
"Whaleworld Museum provides the most tangible evidence of mid-20th Century whaling in Albany," Mr Kierath said.
"The museum is not only an important part of our local history, but is of national and international significance also.

"It is crucial such projects are supported for the benefit of generations to come."
Mr Kierath said the $1 million in grants announced today would go to 73 projects in metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
He said the average amount allocated in each grant was $13,000 with the majority of the sites owned by the private and commercial sector.
"The grants are a clear indication that the Government has a strong commitment to preserving heritage both in the metropolitan area and in regional Western Australia," Mr Kierath said.
"However I would urge owners of heritage buildings to also meet their responsibility to preserving these community assets.
"The purpose of the grants is not to fund all heritage works throughout the State but provide a helping hand to those projects deemed by the Heritage Council of WA to be most in need."
Mr Kierath said in all there were 142 applications for grants this year, requesting a total $7.2 million including one request for $1.6 million.
Of the 73 projects to receive grants, 61 were from regional Western Australia and totalled $769,700 with 12 projects in the metropolitan area receiving $187,000.

GREAT SOUTHERN HERITAGE GRANTS